Kawasaki GPZ305. Should I do it??

[Dragonfly]

I have been looking into getting into doing track days and such, but havent really wanterd to beat on my GS.

OK so heres the deal. My old man has a 77 Gpz 305, that has been just sitting for the last 10 years or so. I am figuring the bike is basicly going to need to be completly rebuilt I.E. motor rebuild, carbs, probobly been to re line the fuel tank, and almost everything else. In other words, it will make a great track only project bike.

Now it is far from a fast bike but it supposidely handels awsome, and should be alot of fun. So what do you guys think? Worth it or not??



Micah

[Cal Price]

If you do it you'll learn a lot so that in itselft probably makes it worthwhile. I rather suspect the old man will chip in his two pennyworth as well and that's good. Theres nothin I enjoy more than a spit and a swear with my son.

[JamesG]

Don't do it.  I would recommend just wiring up your GS and using it.

If you were looking at doing a restoration for its own sake as a hobby, I'd say go fer it. It can be alot of fun and very interesting.

But it can also get expensive.  Old bikes are cheap and most parts are cheap. But vintage racers have a saying that their bikes are paid for on the "installment plan". Cheap up front, but you pay for it in parts and upkeep.

Also that bike is so small and lets face it, dangerously obsolete, that it will be a hazard on the track to yourself and to the guys on CBZXRs going anywhere for 20 to 100 mph faster than you. Even if you are alone or with comparable bikes, they have dinky tires and wobbly frames that really suck to ride if you are used to much better modern bikes (even a GS).

That said and with that fore warning, some guys go for this kind of machichistic thing and get satisfaction from surviving riding old slow things.  Just don't expect it to be cheap or easy.

[Dragonfly]

the reason I dont want to do it with my Gs is that it is basicly daily transportation, and I really dont want to blow it up.
The motor already starts making what sounds like lifter noise at 10,000 rpms. (I think it has been over reved a few times before I got it).

The bike isnt going to be a resto, just a track only bike that works and passes tech.

I probobly wont find it worth while, but its a fun idea to think about.


By the way does anyone know any good resourses on how to get involved in trackdays. I already spend alot of time at PIR doing track days in my Rx-7, but I have almost no knowlwdge about any local riding clubs doing play days.

[JamesG]

Sorry, I was just giving you a bit of a reality check.  

Look at the track's schedule of events.  Then search out the clubs and groups organizing the event. Some bike shops even throw them. Most have a web site now a days.

[dgyver]

By the way does anyone know any good resourses on how to get involved in trackdays. I already spend alot of time at PIR doing track days in my Rx-7, but I have almost no knowlwdge about any local riding clubs doing play days.

My brother's college roommate does alot of track days at PIR. You may have seen him there, either on one of his Ducs, Lotus, or shiftercart. Here's his website: //www.dpcars.net

[Dragonfly]

YEa I recognize his Lotus. Cant say I have ever met your brother though.
I have met the guy that owns the Enzo. That guy is nuts. He collects Ferraries, has something like 15 of them.

[mrslush50]

Washington Motorcycle Road Racers Association runs on PIR and Spokane.  Generally, when they are at Spokane, they have track weekends at PIR and vis-versa.

[dgyver]

YEa I recognize his Lotus. Cant say I have ever met your brother though.
I have met the guy that owns the Enzo. That guy is nuts. He collects Ferraries, has something like 15 of them.

Just to clarify...he's not my brother, Dennis was my brother's roommate in college.